Electronic lock system and use thereof
First Claim
1. With a system employing an electronic lock and electronic key means, a method, comprising:
- (a) providing as said electronic key means an electronic key selected from the group consisting of a master key, an audit key, and a service key;
when said master key is selected as said electronic key means;
(b) connecting said master key to said electronic lock;
(c) then, said electronic lock inquiring as to status of said master key to determine if said master key is a valid master key; and
(d) then, when valid, said master key causing a password to be written to a memory in said electronic lock;
when said audit key is selected as said electronic key means;
(e) connecting said audit key to said electronic lock;
(f) then, said audit key transmitting a password to said electronic lock; and
(g) then, provided said audit key has presented a valid password to said electronic lock, said electronic lock transmitting to said audit key first identification information;
when said service key is selected as said electronic key means;
(h) connecting said service key to said electronic lock;
(i) then, said service key transmitting to said electronic lock second identification information; and
(j) then, said electronic lock becoming unlocked;
and said master key and said audit key being unable to unlock said electronic lock.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a preferred embodiment, with a system employing an electronic lock and electronic key apparatus, a method, including: providing as the electronic key apparatus an electronic key selected from the group consisting of a master key, and audit key, and a service key; when the master key is selected as the electronic key apparatus; connecting the master key to the electronic lock; then, the electronic lock inquiring as to status of the master key to determine if the master key is a valid master key; and then, when valid, the master key causing a password to be written to a memory in the electronic lock; when the audit key is selected as the electronic key apparatus; connecting the audit key to the electronic lock; then, the audit key transmitting a password to the electronic lock; and then, provided the audit key has presented a valid password to the electronic lock, the electronic lock transmitting to the audit key first identification information; and, when the service key is selected as the electronic key apparatus; connecting the service key to the electronic lock; then, the service key transmitting to the electronic lock second identification information; and then, the electronic lock becoming unlocked.
55 Citations
7 Claims
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1. With a system employing an electronic lock and electronic key means, a method, comprising:
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(a) providing as said electronic key means an electronic key selected from the group consisting of a master key, an audit key, and a service key; when said master key is selected as said electronic key means; (b) connecting said master key to said electronic lock; (c) then, said electronic lock inquiring as to status of said master key to determine if said master key is a valid master key; and (d) then, when valid, said master key causing a password to be written to a memory in said electronic lock; when said audit key is selected as said electronic key means; (e) connecting said audit key to said electronic lock; (f) then, said audit key transmitting a password to said electronic lock; and (g) then, provided said audit key has presented a valid password to said electronic lock, said electronic lock transmitting to said audit key first identification information; when said service key is selected as said electronic key means; (h) connecting said service key to said electronic lock; (i) then, said service key transmitting to said electronic lock second identification information; and (j) then, said electronic lock becoming unlocked; and said master key and said audit key being unable to unlock said electronic lock. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of monitoring use of an electronic lock, comprising:
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(a) storing in memory in said electronic lock information as to who opened said lock, when said lock was opened, and for how long said electronic lock was opened; and (b) subsequently using an electronic audit key to transfer said information from said memory to said audit key; and said audit key being unable to unlock said electronic lock.
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7. With a system employing an electronic lock and electronic key means, a method, comprising:
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(a) providing as said electronic key means an electronic master key; (b) then, connecting said master key to said electronic lock; (c) then, said electronic lock inquiring as to status of said master key to determine if said master key is a valid master key; (d) then, when valid, said master key causing a password to be written to a memory in said electronic lock; and (e) then, said electronic lock providing to said master key a time-stamped positive acknowledgment of receipt of said password.
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Specification